FYI: Marriage Update

Divorce Rates Declining for Some Segments

Final Exam Study Guide

Intelligence Officer Allan Pinkerton, President Lincoln, and General John A. McClernand, Antietam, Maryland, October 3, 1862

Photographer: Alexander Gardner 

The following are some key areas to focus on for each chapter. I hope this helps in your overall review of material reviewed this session.

1 Citizenship

• What are examples of your civic life vs. your private life?
• Can you name some newer opportunities for citizen participation that states have provided?
• Have Americans become one class, or do major divides still exist between us? What are some of these differences?
• What's the most common reason given by 18-25 year olds for not voting?

2 Constitution

• What is meant by the principle of "consent of the governed", and what is a good example of how we regularly demonstrate our consent or dissent?
• What were the basic elements of the "Great Compromise" in 1787?
• What are the 3 basic principles embodied in the Constitution that control how each branch relates to each other, and how the national government relates to the states?

3 Federalism

• Why didn't the framers select a unitary model for how the government would function?
• What effect did the 1857 Dred Scott decision (before the Civil War) by the Supreme Court have on federal and state relations?
• Did states or the national government gain power during the bulk of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Administration?

4 Civil Liberties

• Do most of the Bill of Rights apply to actions by the states as well as the national government?
• What are the two (2) basic clauses of the First Amendment pertaining to religion?
• What are the three (3) basic elements of the Miller Test, and what happens when an activity or object does not meet all the criteria in the test?

5 Civil Rights

• The North won the Civil War. But, why did Jim Crow laws take hold in the South, and what form did they take?
• Chief Justice Earl Warren and the unanimous court spoke clearly through their words and vote re: the need to eliminate the post Civil War approach of "separate but equal" in the Brown v Board of Education decision (s). What was the essence of these decisions?
• What were the main implications of the Bakke v Regents of California Supreme Court case?

6 Public Opinion

• What are the "agents of political socialization"?
• What are some differences between men and women in political opinions?
• The word "salience" in political opinion refers to what personal aspect of various issues and topics?

7 Political Participation

• "What's the "rational actor" theory?
• To participate in the political process, what three (3) conditions must be met for you to do so?
• What are some of the factors affecting voter "turnout"?

8 Interest Groups

• The practice of influencing public decisions for largely private purposes is referred to as _______?
• People often do not make a "rational" choice re: being involved with an interest group vs. being "free rider". What is meant by this?
• Does the White house lobby Congress, or vice versa, or do both lobby each other?

9 Parties and Political Campaigns

• What is the process of identifying potential political supporters and designing a customized messages and mobilizing them to come out for an election is called:
• Why do we only have two main parties in the United States?
• Splinter, single issue and ideological parties: examples of each

10 Media

• Characteristic of young persons and the "news"
• Limits placed on television and radio is managed by what agency?
• Two (2) lessons learned by the first presidential debate in 1960 that are still significant today

11 Congress

• Inherent advantages incumbents in Congress have in getting reelected
• How often does reapportionment occur? Why?
• What's the difference between the "delegate", "trustee" and "politico" role of a Congressperson? Can they be performing with all 3 pf these hats?

12 The Presidency

• When do parties select their candidates for the Presidential election?
• What is the significance of the "unit"rule in the Electoral College?
• When can the President exercise the "line item veto" in signing legislation presented to him/her for signing?

13 Bureaucracy

• Key differences between public and private bureaucracies
• What's the main role bureaucrats play in the policy making process?
• What's a "proxy administration?

14 The Courts

• Do judges in our system have some discretion in following precedents in the law?
• What is the principle of "standing" in being heard by a court?
• Basic principles for nominating a Supreme Court justice

15 Public Policy

• Basic stages in policy making and different parties involved
• Characteristics of the uninsured
• National debt vs. the federal deficit: which is greater? How much greater?

16 Foreign and Defense Policy

• Realism, liberalism, idealism and neo-conservatism: how do these apply to foreign policy?
• Key "producers" of foreign policy?
• Why have we maintained cordial relations with China recently, even though we have major issues with this country?
• If you were going to take a "premptive" action agaist someone, what type of initiative would you take in relation to the other person?

Final Exam

Monday December 8 Polsky 462 10AM-12PM

What Does Government Do?

Not many different things, you seemed to say. Or maybe you picked the most important.
Click Pic to Enlarge!
The larger the word, the more times it was chosen

Oral Report Schedule!

Remember: 5 minute max per person!

Monday, November 24

• Victoria and Kyle-Are Nursing Homes Treating the Elderly More Poorly Than In-Home Health Care?
• Mitchell and Herbert-Should Libraries Have a List of Banned Books and Why, November 2
• Anna and Brittanie-Struggles Immigrants Face Coming to America
• Gavin and Meg-Threat That ISIS Poses for the World

Wednesday, November 26-Test #4!

Friday, November 28-Thnaksgiving Break!

Monday, December 1

• Kristony and Alex-Male vs. Female: Who Rules Today?
• Mackenzie and Emily-Why Culture Says Marriage Is A Thing of the Past
• Taylor and E.J.-When Is Capital Punushment is a Good Thing?

Wednesday, December 3

• Tamara, Ayesha and Nikkole-Phyllis Schlafly
• Shannon and April-Youth and Religion
• Tia and Bree Anne-The Media and Political Campaigns
• Kati and Sophie-When Is Capital Punishment a Good Thing?

Friday, December 5

• Kyle and Dennis-Capital Punishment
• Cassie and Zach-Who Will Win the Presidential Election in 2016 and Why?
• Nana, Jordan and Makela-Prejudice (Is this still your current topic? Note below as a post)
• Feras-Dubai and American Governments Compared

Let me know of any necessary changes to above asap. Some presentations may carry over to next class due to time issues. 5 minute max per person. Penalty for going over time limit!

FYI: Felon Disenfranchisement-Mid-Terms

                                                                  Interesting editorial

 Felon Disenfranchisement

FYI: Upcoming 6 Major Decisions in This Supreme Court Term

Upcoming Decisions

FYI: Key Recent Supreme Court Decisions in Last Term

Past Supreme Court Decisions

FYI: Women and the Draft Results

Should Women 18-25 be Subject to the Military Draft?

Comments:  

• No one shopuld have to register
• If a man can figt for family and country, so should a woman
• If it's their choice
• Women are equal or better than men in life, so yes
• Once you're over 18, you have ability to make your own choices 
• Women should have the right to choose the draft if they want
• Someone needs to hold the fort down when we're at war
• Only if the woman want to join

p.s. If the draft for women is instituted, it would not be a woman's choice to join; it would be mandatory, except for specified conditions

Tips for Oral Presentations

Tips for Oral Presentations

Oral Report Tips and Suggestions (half your oral report grade is 

on quality of presentation; the rest is on quality of content)

Pitfalls 

Speaker

* No eye contact

* Seems like a robot

* Hides behind the lectern

* Speaks too loud/soft

* Sways/fidgets/paces

* Rambles or loses his/her place

* Never gets to the point

* Fumbles with notes, visuals or PowerPoint

* Too much material

Visuals

* Nonexistent

* Hard to see

* Hard to undertand

* Out of sequence

* Shown too rapidly

* Shown too slowly

* Typos and errors

* Too wordy, no pics

Setting

* Too noisy

* Too hot or cold

* Too large or small

* Too bright for visuals

* Too dark for your notes

* Missing equipment

* Broken equipment

* Ridiculously complicated equipment

Planning Your Presentation

* Two-three sentence “purpose of your presentation”

* Analyze your listeners

* Analyze your speaking situation

* Select appropriate delivery method

* Memorize-only if necessary

* Impromptu-off-the cuff

* Scripted-if very technical

* Extemporaneous with notes-best

Preparing Your Presentation

* Research your topic

* Simplicity & conciseness

* Anticipate Questions

* Outline your presentation

* Plan your visuals

* When will you show certain visuals?

* Which ones work best

* How many visuals are best?

* Are your visuals achievable? What hardware is available?

* What medium is best for your presentation (overheads, PowerPoint, handouts, foam boards, etc.)

* Prepare your visuals

* Be selective

* Easy to read & understand

* 1 point per visual

* Readable to audience

* Limit material on a visual

* Fewest words possible

* 18-24 point sans serif type best

* Each visual a title

* Use color sparingly

* Label diagrams

* Proofread!!!

* Check Room beforehand

* Rehearse Delivery

Delivering Your Product

* Work the “audience” They’re your friend!

* Know your audience!

* Display enthusiasm and confidence

* Be reasonable and considerate of others

* Don’t preach. You’re not a preacher. Avoid jokes and wisecracks….not cool.

* Keep your listeners oriented. Let them know where you’re going.

* Introduce your topic clearly

* Establish common ground

* Provide good transitions between points

* Give examples!

* Review and interpret what you’ve said

* Leave people with something to remember

* Thank your listeners!

* Ask for questions

Chapter Review Chapters 13-16

Study Guide Chapters 13-16

Chapter 13 Bureaucracy-Citizens As Owners and Consumers

• Who ultimately controls the bureaucracy?
• Who owns it? Are we just "customers"?
• When and why did the biggest expansion in the bureaucracy occur?
• Patronage and spoils: what do these terms mean? Which President used these systems of filling jobs?
• Is patronage dead?
• Pendleton Act of 1883
• What is the "merit system"?
• Republican vs. Democratic orientation towards the bureaucracy
• What's "RIP"?
• 4 differences between public and private bureaucracies
• Political vs. career bureaucrats
• What's the "proxy" administration?
• Who was Frances Perkins?
• What do bureaucrats do? Rule-making and adjudicating disputes
• What is the "Federal Register"?
• Know the 6 major structures within the Federal bureaucracy
• How can Congress limit the bureaucracy?
• What is as good example of Congressional "oversight"?
• Can Congress eliminate a rule approved by an agency? How?
• What role can the President play?
• What is "SES"
• What role does the OMB play (Office of Budget and Management)
• Role of Courts
• Are whistle blowers protected?

Chapter 14 The Courts-Judicial Power in a Democratic Setting

·        States and Federal "dual" court system

·        What do Federal district Courts deal with?

• How many Courts of Appeals are there nationwide?
• What are "en banc" hearings?
• What is meant by "precedent"?
• Significance of Marbury v. Madison case re: judicial review
• Two types of law and differences. Can you cite examples of each?
• Types of jurisdiction and judiciability
• What is meant by "standing" Can you give an example of not having standing to submit a case?
• Why was Roosevelt upset with the Supreme Court?
• What is now the emphasis on cases heard in the Supreme Court?
• Rule of 4 and "writ of certiorari"
• How many writs are received vs. heard each year?
• How could you be an "amicus curiae"?
• Types of opinions issued?
• 3 types of populations affected by decisions
• What are some external factors that can affect a decision being implemented?
• Judicial activism vs. Judaical restraint
• Qualities of nominees: professional, doctrinal and representational
• Choosing lower court appointees: some issues that have come up re: politicization of the process
• Senatorial courtesy definition
• What are some measures that have enhanced access to the Courts?
• Judges aren't elected. Isn't that undemocratic?

Chapter 15 Public Policy-Responding to Citizens

·        Public policies are responses to what?

• Who is ultimately affected by social and economic struggles in certain sectors
• What is "public policy"?
• What are 2 basic limits are placed on public policies?
• Various steps in policymaking. Who plays a role in each step (they're different in each step)
• Types of outcomes based on cost and benefits (chart in book...check it out)
• Which policy outcomes are easiest/more difficult to maintain?
• When did the big push on environmental regulation begin?
• What's a "cap and trade" program?
• What was the emphasis in the Rio and Kyoto Environmental Protocols?
• Have states gone their own way with environmental regulation?
• How many people are poor, and what % of total population?
• What are TANF restrictions?
• What segment of the population is most vulnerable to the recession?
• What % of the population is uninsured?
• Fiscal policy: Keynesian and supply side: differences?
• What is our national deficit? How much is it projected to be this year? ($1.8 trillion!)
• What % of the budget goes to pay off the debt (9%)
• Monetary policy: who's in charge?
• Reserve requirement, discount rate, open market operations???
• What's easier to fight? Recession or inflation?
• Two opposites: free trade or protectionism: pros and cons
• What is NAFTA. What does the WTO do?

Chapter 16 Foreign and Defense Policy-Protecting American Interests in the World

·        Was our country initially desiring to be deeply involved in foreign affairs? Why not?

• What was significance of Roosevelt Corollary (to the Monroe Doctrine)?
• What effect did WWs I & II have on our international perspective?
• Starting with Truman, "containment" was a policy to contain whom or what?
• Did the "MAD" principle work? Is detente a good thing?
• Who became our international "enemy" after the Cold War?
• What does "preemption refer to?
• What did the "Bush Doctrine" have as it's 3 elements?
• What's the most important element of national interests?
• What 3 components of this element are vital in making national security decisions?
• Liberalism, realism, idealism, and neo-conservatism in foreign policy: characteristics?
• Who is, no doubt, the foreign policy chief? (Hint: his initials are BHO)
• The NSC and State Department
• Are the views of the Secretary of State (e.g., Hillary Clinton) always reflected in policy?
• Department of Defense and the Intelligence "Community"
• Who gathers intelligence beside the CIA
• Can your phone be wiretapped? When?
• How is Congress involved in foreign policy? Various tools at their disposal are....
• What % of national budget is spent on defense?
• Are you a "cognitive miser"? How does this manifest itself?
• Significance of various tools of foreign policy
• Military power: do other countries spend more based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?
• Diplomacy: various forms it takes
• Foreign aid: How big a part of budget? Is it worth it?
• International Organizations (UN, NATO, World Bank) Was the US able to get the support of the UN to invade Iraq? Why not?
• Threats
• Terrorism: how do you deal with it: a criminal act? Or, remove their areas of operation? Or, ground fights?
• Nuclear Danger? Who belongs to the nuclear "club"? What is a "missile defense system"? Does it work?
• Regional conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, and elsewhere. What's the 2-state solution proposed by former President Bush? Carnage in Darfur, Rwanda (Hutus and Tutsis). What are rusks of ignoring these areas with constant conflicts? What is "genocide"? Define it.
• China: Friend or foe? Why is their economy so strong?
• Book notes China is second largest debt holder behind Japan...that is now reversed; two flashpoints are what?
• Alternatives to force: soft power! Would you like to be a volunteer to assist those in need overseas? You'll be spreading the good word

Study Tool Chapters 13-16

Study Tool

American Urban Society

Chapters 13-16

Fall 2014

Ch13

1/ The American Federal bureaucracy has mushroomed into a giant apparatus to protect us, provide health and services, give students loans,  deliver mail, collect taxes…the list goes on and on. Our expectations of our government have grown significantly from the early days of our nation when government was small. We now interact more frequently with government bureaucrats than with our elected government officials for needs such as student loans and reservations at national parks. In this modern role as provider of a myriad of services, we often forget that we, collectively as citizens, own the government and can shape the role that it plays in our lives. We should not view ourselves passively as just consumers of the array of government services.

2/ The Federal bureaucracy has undergone cycles of growth and shrinkage over the decades, due to factors such as economic downturns, wars, technological and industrial shifts and changes, etc. One period in particular is known for the Federal government responding in a major way to dramatic economic events that were unfolding in America. The impact on our country from this period remains evident in various social programs and even buildings, infrastructure and cultural artifacts that are still with us in 2010. What was this major period of bureaucratic growth in our history?

3/ In order to be efficient and effective, there are several core aspects that define a true bureaucracy. What are they? What would be some examples of organizational behavior that would be counterproductive in a bureaucracy?

4/ Private business and bureaucracies are similar in many ways. However, there are a few key areas where they differ markedly. What are some of these factors that distinguish private and public bureaucracies?

5/ The U.S. government has been employing millions of persons to do their work instead of regular “line” employees. Even in theaters of war, private firms are under contract to perform certain tasks that might have been done in other years by uniformed military personnel. This practice of using other outside sources of labor to do our governments work is what type of component of the Federal bureaucracy?

6/ The President’s cabinet has 15 separate Departments. The Department of State and Department of Treasury were the first Departments created in 1789. Thirteen Departments were formed since then. The next to last Department created was the Department of Veteran Affairs in 1989. Events in 2001 led to the creation of the last Department (____________name it) in 2003. More Departments may be created in the future, or mergers might occur. I doubt a Department will be eliminated, although I have heard calls to scrap the Department of Education.

C14

7/ U.S. Federal District Courts (94) hear only certain cases that come before them. For example, a case involving a murder in Akron is not likely to appear in Federal Court unless a Federal law is violated (incl. labor, civil rights, property rights, Social Security, truth-in-lending, federal crimes and anti-trust laws). There are other Federal Courts in addition to the District Courts. What do they do?

8/ The Supreme Court did not always have the ability to force Congress to obey the Constitution. But, under the leadership of John Marshall, in Marbury v Madison, the Court found (under the principle of judicial review) that it could not force President Jefferson to honor outgoing President John Adams’ judicial appointments (which appointments not been delivered properly). But the Court did establish formally for the first time that it could declare existing laws as void if there was a Constitutional conflict.

9/ Where did our legal system come from? Other than Louisiana (Code Napoleon), our law was transported over the Atlantic from England. English common law is based on the principle of precedent-the linkage between previous cases and current legal cases. This basic principle of precedent is fully in effect in America today.

10/ Simply stated, American law involves cases that are civil or criminal in nature. Civil law involves disputes between private parties, and may include disputes about property, personal injuries, family law, etc. Individuals, businesses, corporations and governments may be party to a dispute (governments acting in a private capacity). Criminal cases are initiated with the government as the plaintiff (crime is against society in general)

11/ One person or business may initiate a lawsuit on behalf of others in a group who have been harmed. The Supreme Court determines the rules for determining what need to be in place to qualify for a this type of lawsuit, referred to as a class action lawsuit.

12/ Not all cases that are submitted to the Supreme Court are heard. Initially, through the process of submitting a “writ of certiorari” to the Court, a review is conducted, and the Court may grant the “writ”. Approximately 9,000 writs of certiorari are submitted, but only less than 100 are accepted for the full hearing and ultimate decision.

Ch15

13/ Public policy is a term that requires more explanation. It just doesn’t develop on its own. Something has to begin the process, and that is typically real problems that people have. For example, the Cuyahoga River has burned thirteen times since 1858, most notably in 1952 and 1969 when the sad state of river pollution caused a major shift towards environmental protection in our country resulting in the creation of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Public policy is evolving and changing all the time, reflecting ­real human needs, political shifts and the interests of many interest groups, some more powerful than others.

14/ The Waxman-Markey bill was passed recently by the House of Representatives to control the emission of carbons into the atmosphere. A cap on total carbon emissions would be created, with companies allocated a maximum share of that carbon. Any excess emission by that company will require a purchase, or trade, of carbon credits from another company. Sounds pretty simple, huh? Actually, a storm of controversy has arisen about this proposed carbon “tax”, and it has not passed the U.S. Senate.

15/ Costs and benefits are key to policy formulation? Who will benefit, and who will pay? Alternatives range from concentrated costs and benefits (telecommunications), to widely distributed costs and benefits (Social Security). Sometimes, these policy decisions re: who will pay generate controversy from those who are paying. For example, school levies are essentially concentrated benefits (school children) with widely distributed costs (taxpayers plus others who are subject to rent increases, etc.). Persons who don’t have school children sometimes do not support school levies.

16/ As with any problem, personal or national, nothing happens until the problem is recognized and acknowledged. Potential problems with flooding were looming in coastal Louisiana before Katrina, but the scope and scale of the seriousness of the regions vulnerability was not fully recognized, despite warnings from experts. It took the Katrina tragedy to bring this problem to more full recognition, followed by agenda setting, policy formulation/adoption, and action. Other examples in our recent history exist where it has taken a tragedy to bring the problem out of obscurity to general recognition by policymakers.

17/ The demographic trends of poverty in our affluent country are often surprising. For example, more white people are poor than other groups (18-64). Also, the extent of poverty among the elderly is considerably lower than it used to be. Check out some of the other relevant demographics re: poverty. Which ones surprised you?

18/ The United States government receives money from many sources (ranging from paying a fee at a National Park to income taxes). We, as individuals are the largest contributor to the government’s revenue through income taxes. Check out the sources of income chart in Chapter 15 to look at additional detail.

Ch16

19/ The U.S. intelligence system is a complex web of people and organizations throughout the globe. One slip or missed bit of information can lead to a national disaster of horrendous proportions. Thus, when the 9/11 tragedy occurred, our government took a close look at our intelligence system to find out  what failed and how to protect us from those who wish to do us harm. Likewise, the flawed information regarding weapons of mass destruction supposedly being developed in Iraq led to our invasion and war with this country. Fortunately, our security system has not allowed a major breach of security in the last several years.

20/ Often, the insights of those who are from another land, provide an extraordinary resource. Alexis deToqueville of France writing in the early 1800s while visiting America, made a number of fascinating observations about our new country, many of which are still true today, including observations about our yen for coalescing into groups or factions, our unique physical isolation and defensible borders, and our tendency toward egalitarianism.

21/ The Cold War between the Western world and the Soviet Union ended, for all practical purposes, in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. During the Cold War period after WWII, both entities were heavily armed with nuclear capabilities. Foreign policy of the west was geared toward limiting Soviet spread in the world, and arming ourselves such that both entities were aware one act of war against the other would produce a violent nuclear response such that both parts of the world would be effectively destroyed. Such awareness of likely destruction acted as a deterrent to “hot” (vs. cold) war.

22/ After a very brief peaceful interlude following the end of the Cold War  with the Soviet Union, our national attention turned to a new spread of violence and ultimately, threats to the United States mainland. This threat came from sources other than an individual country. Instead it manifests itself in forces operating independent of national borders, and not formally related to a specific country.

23/ President George W. Bush, in an attempt to deal with this new form of warfare alluded to above, implemented a military policy (viewed by some as controversial) aimed at preventing harmful action to our country (and our allies) by using force in advance of an anticipated attack by others.

24/ So, what are our national interests? What really matters. What’s worth defending? What needs to be protected? This cluster of three (3) elements of our basic national interest are viewed as sacrosanct, and we are committed to defending them with our treasures and our blood.

25/ Congress has 535 members. Did the founding fathers give them the power to conduct a war? Would you want a war being guided by 535 different persons? Or is having just one elected leader in charge of a war the preferred scenario? I think the founders were right in how they divvied up the responsibility. Can you specify who declares war vs. who conducts the war?